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Caleb Widogast is close to one of the small folk.
Orym wasn't certain at first. For all his obvious arcane power, the man lays out complex ideas with the measured tone of a teacher. Maybe he spends a lot of time with young children, between taking down power hungry mages? A possible reason for the way his attention gives targeted priority to the one person in the conversation feet below the rest.
But the more Orym studies Caleb and his grouchy companion, trying to assess just who these potential allies might be, the less that explanation sits right. There's none of the slipping into simplified speech that Orym's experienced with other larger people who unconsciously see him as a youth. Caleb crouching to be at eye level has the subtle but distinct air of including an equal, and when Orym drifts into his space in the crowded tent, he shifts to make room, unbothered, as if on instinct.
This strange wizard's personal life is the last thing Orym should be focusing on right now, but everything else feels so overwhelmingly far above his pay grade, and…
Well, on some level Orym is always thinking about Will. And there's something about how Caleb moves, the space he creates, even the angle he directs his voice, that reminds Orym of his husband in crushing detail. It's a comfort, almost, to trigger that familiarity, to be around someone who must show care for a small person the way Will once did. Today, on the cusp of what could potentially be the end of the world, Orym thinks it's fair to take whatever comfort he can get.
When the party moves out into the dust to inspect the downed Warder, Imogen and Laudna prodding at the slashed runes with growing bafflement, Orym lets himself settle by Caleb's side. He's met with a glance of mild confusion (and one of suspicion from Beauregard, but that's been the norm thus far so Orym isn't too concerned).
"Did you have more questions? I apologize if my description of dunamis was insufficient, but our time is already scarce and the subject requires far more than can be spared."
Orym blinks. "Ah, no. I'm just a guy with a sword, that magic stuff is all beyond me." He chews on his words for a moment, sees the rest of his party still poking around the hulking automaton, and decides there's no harm in asking. He'll likely be dead in a few hours regardless. "Sorry if this is too personal, but I was actually wondering: did you grow up with us small folk? Or become close to one later?"
It's Caleb's turn to blink and behind them Orym can hear Beauregard snort in amusement. "What have I told you? It's obvious."
"Yes, thank you Beauregard," Caleb grumbles before turning his attention back to Orym. "Why do you wish to know?"
Why indeed. "The way you move, it reminds me of my husband," he offers, trying not to let his voice catch. "Whoever it is you know so well, they're lucky to have you around."
The tight lines around Caleb's face soften slightly. "I see." He hums, openly considering his words as well. One hand raises to twist at the collar of his cloak, a plain yellow button sewn in as a clasp.
"My dearest friend, for almost a decade now, has been a halfling like yourself. You are clearly not the first to suggest her presence has had an impact, though I did not believe it was so conspicuous."
Orym nods. He can hear the mountains Caleb isn't saying in his voice, but it doesn't really matter. "You make it out of this," he instructs, eyes locked onto Caleb's. "You make it back to her."
There's a long stretch of silence between them, the only sound the chatter of Orym's friends and the howl of the dust storm. Then Caleb crouches once more, resting his free hand on Orym's shoulder. "I can make no such promise, and she knows this," he says solemnly. "But I will try my best today to make sure we all can go home to our loved ones."
The rumbling sound of an approaching crawler catches Orym and Beauregard's attention simultaneously, the odd moment of connection amidst chaos broken in an instant. It's too late for him and Will, Orym muses as he darts back to the others. But, if the gods can spare it right now, maybe they can lend a nudge to help Caleb and his small someone. He has the feeling they deserve it.